Sam Walker returns to the side and I’d love to see Trent Robinson just give him the keys to their attack. He’s the most instinctive and creative player they’ve got, and as we’ve seen this year, defences have been so much better repelling a structured style of attack. He’s got a rare gift to play outside that and spark his side.
I like the return of Dominic Young on the right wing outside Joseph Manu. He will make sure those half chances are converted, and you can see how much Newcastle is missing his threat this year.
The Molo-Jared Waerea-Hargreaves battle in the middle should be a beauty, but watch for the two No.1s – Sloan and James Tedesco – to have a huge bearing on the result. There won’t be much in this.
Joey’s tip: Roosters by 4
First try-scorer: Moses Suli
Man of the match: Sam Walker
Ponga irreplaceable but speedster brings hope
It’s hard to describe how big a loss Kalyn Ponga will be for the Knights, given he won’t play for the next three months. He’s irreplaceable to them.
Without him, it’s going to be almighty hard for them to make the top eight. You can see in the past couple of weeks, when he’s hobbling or hampered, Newcastle look a very one-paced team. They like to play a really structured style of game where they get to a point on the field and then run their plays. And when nothing is on, that’s when Kalyn’s freakish ability can take over.
Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga.Credit: Getty
But there might be hope.
I remember watching a NSW Cup match last year and Billy Slater turned around and said, “Who’s that?” I said it was David Armstrong. He just replied, “He’s got something”. That’s a huge rap for a fullback coming from Billy.
Armstrong, who will step into Ponga’s boots, is incredibly quick. He’s only slight, but he’s a terrific support player and has great anticipation. His style is a bit like that of Ryan Papenhuyzen.
If he’s half as good, the Knights might be able to make something of their season.
Walsh-inspired Broncos may be unstoppable
Rugby league is so lucky to have Reece Walsh. He’s an absolute marketer’s dream and one thing I’ve noticed these days is kids are less inclined to follow a team, but often follow players. He’s one of those that can transcend the sport.
The thing I love is that he backs up his star quality with his feats on the field. The skill and speed he has shown in the past couple of weeks has been phenomenal. When you start watching a game, you cannot stop watching him.
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If he’s fully fit and firing and the Broncos can get Adam Reynolds, Payne Haas and Brendan Piakura back on a regular basis, I just can’t see who beats Brisbane this year.
Who’s going to stop them?
Handbags at 10 paces
I’ve got one word to describe the melee that happened at the end of the Bulldogs-Knights game last week: embarrassing. All the handbags at 10 paces, pushing and shoving, and then because of that frustration it nearly spills over in the tunnel between Jack Hetherington and Reed Mahoney.
I know the world has changed, but it wouldn’t have happened years ago when men sorted out their differences on the field and then got on with it. But the rule banning punching has had consequences of little blokes niggling and generally being pests.
I don’t want to see that type of rubbish again.
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